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Doolan - Minister refuses to fix planning loophole-Doolan

Sinn Fein's Dublin Spokesperson on the Environment &
Local Government Cllr. Daithi Doolan demanded that the government,
‘immediately review it’s refusal to introduce legislation which would remove
a loophole that allows developers in Dublin’s docklands to avoid their
obligation to provide 20% social & affordable housing.”

Speaking
in Ringsend this morning, Cllr. Doolan said:

"I
am extremely angry at the fact that the Minister for Environment, Heritage &
Local Government, Dick Roche, has refused to introduce legislation which
would remove the loophole that currently allows developers who receive fast
tracked planning permission from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority,
which obliges them to provide 20% social & affordable housing, to simply
cross the road to Dublin City Council and get further extensions to their
plans in which no such obligation applies.”

Cllr.
Doolan explained,

"This
fiasco was brought to my attention last week as chair of the Planning
Strategic Policy Committee in Dublin City Council. I immediately tabled a
Parliamentary Question informing the Minister of the situation and called on
him to introduce legislation which would remove the loophole. But
unfortunately the Minister has informed me today in writing that he will not
introduce this legislation, citing he does not interfere in planning
applications. This is totally unacceptable. Once again the Minister has
proved that he is incapable of ensuring developers meet their legal
obligations.

This city needs social and affordable housing
urgently if it is to meet the needs of people who need housing. 1000’s of
people remain on housing lists and the provision of social and affordable
housing in the docklands was one means to meet this demand. But Minister
Roche sits back and allows developers to exploit the planning loophole
rather than challenge them and force them to meet their obligations under
the Dublin Docklands legislation of 1997."

In conclusion
Cllr. Doolan called on, “the Taoiseach to intervene and ensure legislation
is introduced to avoid a planning scandal in his own constituency.”